Fall 2025 Returning TV Show Ratings — Who Came Out on Top?
This fall’s TV lineup delivered some pretty big surprises, especially when it came to returning shows. From familiar comedies to long-running procedurals, the ratings told a story. Today, we’re ranking some of the most talked-about returning shows — ‘Tracker,’ ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ Abbott Elementary, and more — from the lowest to the highest in terms of their audience performance. So, buckle up: here’s your ultimate guide to who won (and who underwhelmed) this season.
Why Ratings Still Matter in 2025
Even in a streaming-obsessed world, Nielsen-style ratings—especially those that factor in cross-platform viewing—still breathe life into shows. Advertisers, networks, and even renewals hinge on how many ears, eyeballs, and clicks a show can pull in across live, DVR, and streaming.
The Key Players — Who We’re Ranking
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Tracker (CBS)
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Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
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Abbott Elementary (ABC)
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(Honorable Mentions) – Some other returning hits
Tracker — The Viewership Workhorse
A Brief Recap of Tracker
Tracker stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a survivalist who helps law enforcement track missing people.
Tracker’s Impressive Numbers
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According to CBS and Nielsen’s “Most Current” data, Tracker averaged 10.84 million viewers in the 2024–2025 broadcast season.
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On its Season 2 premiere in October 2024, Tracker drew 8.3 million live viewers, marking its strongest regularly scheduled episode since launching after the Super Bowl.
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Per PR Newswire, during its first season, Tracker averaged 11.58 million on Live+7 viewing, adding about 3.4 million via DVR playback — one of the biggest gains for any primetime show.
What This Means
Tracker remains a ratings juggernaut. Even though its demographic rating (18–49) may not be headlining, its total viewership pushes CBS’s primetime strength. In short: it’s a reliable winner.
Law & Order: SVU — The Long-Running Procedural
SVU’s Standing Going into Fall 2025
There’s no official, widely cited Nielsen cross-platform number for SVU in Fall 2025 publicly available yet in the sources we reviewed. However, we can infer some trends from fan sentiment, historical performance, and network positioning.
Fan Sentiment & Performance Signals
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Many fans online argue the show has “lost its spark,” saying newer episodes feel formulaic.
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There are concerns about budget cuts, cast changes, and how cases are handled now.
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But despite criticism, SVU continues to survive in the TV ecosystem — a testament to its brand strength.
Why SVU Might Be Lower in This Ranking
Given the lack of recent major upward rating spikes or massive streaming surges, SVU likely sits below more explosive or “big number” shows like Tracker or Abbott Elementary in cross-platform clout — though it still remains a vital piece of NBC’s lineup.
Abbott Elementary — The Streaming-Boosted Comedy
What the Numbers Say
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In ABC’s cross-platform rankings, Abbott Elementary scored a 2.15 rating among adults 18–49, putting it near the top for returning shows.
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ABC also reported that Abbott Elementary had 2.99 million cross-platform viewers for the fall season.
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On a recent daily basis (as of October 15, 2025), the show reached 2.832 million viewers with a 0.88 P2+ rating.
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Back in January 2025, a midseason episode (crossover with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) hit 4.90 million total viewers in linear TV and broke records in streaming performance.
Why Abbott Is a Ratings Contender
Abbott Elementary thrives on multi-platform performance. Its strength isn’t just in live TV — Hulu and DVR views give it a serious boost. For ABC, it’s pure gold: lower-cost half-hour comedy, big streaming lift.
Putting It All Together — Ranking from Lowest to Highest
| Rank | Show | Why It’s Here |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (Lowest) | Law & Order: SVU | Solid legacy procedural, but lacks big multiplatform spikes. |
| 2nd | Abbott Elementary | Strong cross-platform appeal, especially in streaming, though live numbers are modest. |
| 1st (Highest) | Tracker | Massive total viewership, consistent, and a top driver for CBS’s primetime performance. |
Why “Lowest to Highest” Doesn’t Mean Failure
Ranking third doesn’t mean Law & Order: SVU is failing. It’s still a long-running staple with a loyal audience. And being #2 (like Abbott Elementary) means you’re doing really well in a very competitive streaming-plus-broadcast world.
Key Trends Driving These Ratings
The Power of Cross-Platform Metrics
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Streaming + DVR = serious lift. Abbott Elementary is proof that streaming can vastly amplify a show’s reach.
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Tracker benefits too: even if live ratings aren’t sky-high every week, its multiplatform totals make it a heavyweight.
The Value of Long-Running Shows
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SVU doesn’t need massive multiplatform growth to survive. Its legacy status and steady fan base give it resilience.
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But legacy isn’t always sexy — advertisers and networks increasingly value “who’s growing,” not just “who’s steady.”
Pop Culture + Word-of-Mouth Boosts
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Abbott Elementary thrives on social buzz. Memes, watercooler moments, and streaming virality help it punch above its live-TV weight.
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Tracker also benefits from being easy to binge, discuss, and rewatch — survivalist drama has that addictive factor.
Implications for Fall 2025 Network Strategies
For CBS (Tracker’s Home)
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Keep pushing Tracker on streaming platforms.
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Leverage its high total audience to sell ads.
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Use it as a launchpad: other shows can benefit from its lead.
For ABC (Abbott Elementary’s Network)
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Lean into streaming: highlight how episodes perform on Hulu or DVR.
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Consider more crossovers or special events (like the It’s Always Sunny tie-in) to boost visibility and buzz.
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Maintain its slot; the show probably doesn’t need drastic scheduling changes.
For NBC (SVU’s Stay)
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Reinvest in quality: fans want more depth, less formula.
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Promote streaming avenues if SVU’s digital performance is solid.
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Use SVU’s legacy as a brand strength while cultivating new audience growth through fresh storytelling.
Conclusion
So, what’s the takeaway? In Fall 2025, Tracker is clearly the ratings heavyweight, commanding huge cross-platform numbers for CBS. Abbott Elementary proves that a half-hour comedy can still carry massive weight when streaming is in the mix. And while Law & Order: SVU might not be topping the multiplatform charts, its legacy and consistent audience make it quietly powerful.
This isn’t just a battle for eyeballs — it’s a shift. The TV world is no longer just about live broadcast; it’s about total viewership, cross-platform synergy, and staying culturally relevant. And these three shows? They’re doing exactly that — each in their own way.
FAQs
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Q: Why does “cross-platform” matter when discussing TV ratings?
A: Cross-platform accounts for live TV, DVR playback, and streaming. Since many viewers now skip live TV, these extra metrics give a fuller picture of a show’s total audience. -
Q: Did Tracker really average over 10 million viewers in Fall 2025?
A: Yes — according to Nielsen’s most current data for the 2024–2025 season, Tracker averaged around 10.84 million viewers across platforms. -
Q: Is Abbott Elementary doing better on streaming than on broadcast?
A: Pretty much. Its streaming and DVR numbers significantly boost its cross-platform performance beyond its linear (live) TV ratings. -
Q: Is Law & Order: SVU declining in popularity?
A: While there’s some fan debate and commentary about creative fatigue, SVU remains a steady performer. There’s no public, definitive collapse in its viewership — but it’s not showing the explosive multiplatform growth of newer hits. -
Q: Which network wins from these ratings?
A: All three benefit: CBS uses Tracker as a flagship draw; ABC leans on Abbott Elementary’s streaming strength; and NBC still values SVU for its loyal, legacy audience.
